Tiffen targets GoPro users with its latest Steadicam

Although the GoPro Hero actioncam is designed to be mounted on things like helmets or handlebars, it can also of course be used for regular ol’ hand-held shooting. As with any other camcorder, however, its hand-held footage can be on the shaky side. That’s why Tiffen recently unveiled its Steadicam Curve for GoPro Hero.

The Curve is pretty much a more compact, GoPro-optimized version of Tiffen’s existing Steadicam Smoothee. Both products consist of a camera-mounting platform, a curved aluminum counterweighted frame that extends below the camera, and a gimbal-mounted handle that isolates the device from the user’s shakes and jitters.

Once the user’s Hero is attached to the standard GoPro quick-release mount, a fine-tuning knob is used to set the Curve’s balance precisely. This allows the camera to maintain a straight and even default position. Should users wish to pan or tilt the camera relative to the rig, however, they can still do so by twisting or pushing on the underside of the mounting platform with their thumb and forefinger.

Additionally, the handle can be locked into the frame, for situations where a simple rigid handgrip is all that’s required.

The Curve weighs half a pound (227 g), comes in five colors, and works with all generations of Hero (although one of GoPro’s LCD BacPacs is required for the lighter-weight Hero3). It should be available later this summer (Northern Hemisphere) at a price of US$99.95.

An experienced freelance writer, videographer and television producer, Ben's interest in all forms of innovation is particularly fanatical when it comes to human-powered transportation, film-making gear, environmentally-friendly technologies and anything that's designed to go underwater. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, where he spends a lot of time going over the handlebars of his mountain bike, hanging out in off-leash parks, and wishing the Pacific Ocean wasn't so far away. All articles by Ben CoxworthFollow @bencoxworth